Surname O'Keefe - Meaning and Origin
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O'Keefe: What does the surname O'Keefe mean?
The last name O’Keefe is an Irish surname. It is an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Caomhánaigh which was derived from the Gaelic word caomh, meaning “beloved” or “gentle”. It is most commonly associated with the province of Munster, especially County Cork, in the south of Ireland.
The O’Keefe family have a long and distinguished history in Ireland. They were descended from the powerful and influential Kings of Munster, and played a significant role in the politics and military of the region during the Middle Ages. During the Elizabethan era, many branches of the O’Keefe family migrated from Munster to Ulster, where they became prominent merchants and landowners.
The legacy of the O’Keefe family remains strong in Ireland today. There are many members of the family who are highly respected educators, doctors, lawyers, businessmen, politicians, and other professionals. The O’Keefes are known for their strong work ethic, loyalty, and commitment to family. They are proud of their heritage and of the contributions that their ancestors have made to Irish history and culture.
Order DNA origin analysisO'Keefe: Where does the name O'Keefe come from?
The last name O'Keefe is an Irish surname, meaning “descendant of Aodhagán”. Aodhagán is an old Irish personal name derived from a combination of 'Aodh', meaning “fire” and 'agán', meaning “little one”.
Today, the last name O'Keefe is most common in Ireland, and in countries where Irish people have emigrated. In Ireland, its prevalence is particularly high in the south-east, in Counties Cork and Waterford, where it is the most popular surname. In the US it is also one of the top 2000 last names, ranking around the 1400th most common surname. Other countries with a noticeable prevalence of the last name O'Keefe include Canada, Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany and Spain.
In general, the last name O'Keefe is associated with resourcefulness, creativity, cleverness, and determination. It is a strong name, borne by men and women of true Irish descent, who remain proud of their heritage and its cultural origins.
Variations of the surname O'Keefe
The surname O'Keefe is an anglicised version of the Irish Gaelic surname Ó Caomhánaigh, which is derived from the Gaelic word "caomh," meaning "kind" or "gentle." Variants and spellings of this surname include O'Keeffe, Keefe, McAffee, MacAffee, O'Caff, O'Caffey, Kieffe, and MacKief.
In Irish folklore, the O'Keefe family is said to be descended from an ancient High King of Ireland, known as Niall of the Nine Hostages. Like many other Irish surnames, O'Keefe can be found throughout Ireland as well as abroad, with variants of the surname having spread to the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and the United States of America.
More closely related derivates of the surname O’Keefe include other Irish surnames beginning with the prefix "Ó," such as O'Kane, O'Doherty, O'Malley, O'Connor and O'Neill. Many of these Irish surnames originate from the native Gaelic population of Ireland and were used to differentiate between generations of a particular family.
In America, where many immigrants embraced anglicised versions of their names, variants and combinations of the name O'Keefe and Keefe can also be found. Names such as Ohkiffe, O'Kiff, O'Kiffey, and Ockifey are among the few examples of these further adaptations.
Despite common misconception, the O’Keefe surname is not derived exclusively from the Irish Gaelic and does not have a single origin. In fact, there are also many instances of the O’Keefe surname in England, Wales, and Scotland, where the surname originates from the Old English toponym "kep," meaning "a stream."
Overall, the O’Keefe surname is a distinct and highly distinctive surname that has its own branches, variants, and spellings. With its roots deeply embedded in Irish folklore, this surname is a reminder of the Irish diaspora and the strength it has had around the globe for centuries.
Famous people with the name O'Keefe
- Georgia O’Keeffe, American artist and widely known as one of the most significant artists of the 20th century.
- Jack O’Keefe, Australian rules football commentator for Channel Seven.
- Maurice O’Keefe, Canadian lawyer and former Saskatchewan cabinet minister.
- Francis J. O’Keefe Jr., American engineer and astronaut.
- Brendan O’Keefe, Australian journalist and news presenter.
- Kieran O’Keefe, English association football player.
- Sheila O’Keefe, Australian singer and musician.
- Colm O’Keefe, Irish hurler and minor footballer.
- Barry O’Keefe, Australian solicitor and former politician.
- Lily O’Keefe, English actress and child star.
- Paul O’Keefe, American psychologist, professor, organizations theorist, and consultant.
- Bramwell O’Keefe, Jamaican cricket player and former broadcaster.
- Edward A. O’Keefe, American songwriter and librettist for musical theater.
- Jeffery O’Keefe, American film, television and voice actor.
- Finbarr O’Keefe, Irish actor known for his roles in British soap operas.